“does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;”
is not provoked,
The Greek word means to arouse to anger. The word “provoked” denotes something sharpened by rubbing. The idea is to be incited, exasperated, or irritable. The word implies an outburst of anger. Love does not become enraged by wrong or insult. It does not fly into a rage but goes the second mile. Love has different reciprocity, for it is not irritable, touchy. It is not subject to reactive anger or has a short fuse. It can absorb offense and insult. It will bear inconvenience for others.
PRINCIPLE:
Love is even-tempered.
APPLICATION:
Love does not lose its cool or blow its cork. It does not look for some slight pretext to blow a fuse. Love goes the second mile. It keeps its head when everyone else is losing his. It does not become exasperated with others. Exasperation is always a sign of self-defeat. Love does not easily blow its stack. It is not quick-tempered or convulsive, nor does it flare up. It is not touchy. We have to walk on eggshells around some people. People who feel themselves victims carry their feelings on their sleeves. Love does not walk around with a chip on its shoulder, just waiting for someone to knock it off. If we look for trouble, we will find it. Love does not harbor real or fanciful insults. It is not irritable, nor does it expect people to cater to it.
Jas 1:19-20, So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
